Austalia day 2026 Hosted by Duart homestead
Our Australia Day Awards ceremony was held at Duart Homestead in the morning of January
26th. Duart provided egg and bacon rolls and Lamingtons for breakfast while people listened
to music from the Maffra Stage Band.
Councillor Carmel Ripper opened the official proceedings, with the Maffra Scouts raising the
flag and the band playing the National Anthem.
Carmel gave an excellent talk about community and volunteering and how important it is.
Rotarians then took it in turns to announce the winners of the three Gippsland Times and
Maffra Rotary Quiet Achiever Awards.
Lynette Teese was our Senior Quiet Achiever. She has volunteered in many organisations in
Maffra, including the Maffra Nursing Mothers Group, St John’s Anglican Church, the George
Grey Centre, St Jo’s Op Shop and The Maffra Dramatic Society. She gave an acceptance
speech emphasising the importance of giving back to the community.
Henry Noble was awarded the Junior Quiet Achiever. He volunteers in many capacities at the
Gippsland Vehicle Collection, was a member of the 2025 Bendigo Bank Junior Ambassador
Program and was awarded the Jakob and Jeanie Malmo Tertiary Scholarship for his future
studies. He again emphasised that volunteering within the community was the right thing to
do.
Maffra Neighbourhood House is well known for its work within the Maffra Community. The
team of volunteers work tirelessly to support the management, helping out with many tasks
and supporting the goal of providing community involvement and learning. The Food Relief
and Christmas Hamper programs rely heavily on the volunteers. Jean Kemp, secretary of the
committee, accepted the award on their behalf.
The event concluded with more music from the band while everyone had the chance to
catch up. This was a true community event, giving the opportunity for social interaction as
well as recognising people who work behind the scenes to make Maffra a better place for
everyone.
The event was assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day
Council.
26th. Duart provided egg and bacon rolls and Lamingtons for breakfast while people listened
to music from the Maffra Stage Band.
Councillor Carmel Ripper opened the official proceedings, with the Maffra Scouts raising the
flag and the band playing the National Anthem.
Carmel gave an excellent talk about community and volunteering and how important it is.
Rotarians then took it in turns to announce the winners of the three Gippsland Times and
Maffra Rotary Quiet Achiever Awards.
Lynette Teese was our Senior Quiet Achiever. She has volunteered in many organisations in
Maffra, including the Maffra Nursing Mothers Group, St John’s Anglican Church, the George
Grey Centre, St Jo’s Op Shop and The Maffra Dramatic Society. She gave an acceptance
speech emphasising the importance of giving back to the community.
Henry Noble was awarded the Junior Quiet Achiever. He volunteers in many capacities at the
Gippsland Vehicle Collection, was a member of the 2025 Bendigo Bank Junior Ambassador
Program and was awarded the Jakob and Jeanie Malmo Tertiary Scholarship for his future
studies. He again emphasised that volunteering within the community was the right thing to
do.
Maffra Neighbourhood House is well known for its work within the Maffra Community. The
team of volunteers work tirelessly to support the management, helping out with many tasks
and supporting the goal of providing community involvement and learning. The Food Relief
and Christmas Hamper programs rely heavily on the volunteers. Jean Kemp, secretary of the
committee, accepted the award on their behalf.
The event concluded with more music from the band while everyone had the chance to
catch up. This was a true community event, giving the opportunity for social interaction as
well as recognising people who work behind the scenes to make Maffra a better place for
everyone.
The event was assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day
Council.